Georgia Tech A-back Orwin Smith is 42nd in FBS (formerly Division I-A) in rushing at 90 yards per game with just 12 carries. No one ahead of him has fewer than twice as many rushes and most have four times as many or more.
Smith, who is averaging 22.5 yards per carry, is fine with it.
“It’s not tough because I look at it as an advantage,” Smith said. “I feel like we can last longer.”
At Phenix City (Ala.) Central High, Smith got as many as 30 touches a game, he said, but at Tech he receives 10 in a busy game. Against Kansas on Saturday, he used his five carries to go 157 yards, including a school-record 95-yard touchdown run. Like the other A-backs, he gets plenty of blocking assignments, which he also doesn’t mind.
“I love to see other guys have fun, especially when you can be the reason why somebody broke out for 60 yards,” said Smith, who helped spring A-back Embry Peeples for a 63-yard touchdown against Kansas.
Keepaway
Tech coach Paul Johnson and North Carolina coach Everett Withers agree on at least one thing about their game Saturday. Taking care of possessions will be critical.
Withers, speaking on the ACC coaches teleconference Wednesday, said that North Carolina can’t stop Tech’s offense, but does want to try to manage the Jackets’ possessions, forcing long drives and field goals instead of touchdowns.
Like Tech, the Tar Heels have shown an ability to score quickly and also grind out long drives with an offense that averages 179.3 rushing per game.
“The big key is going to be us stopping them from running the ball,” Johnson said. “They’re going to come in here, I’m sure, trying to run the clock and control the ball.”
Injury report
B-back Preston Lyons and wide receiver Jeff Greene are doubtful for the game with unspecified injuries. Lyons, the No. 2 B-back, would be replaced by Charles Perkins. Johnson said Daniel McKayhan or Chris Jackson would replace Greene, the No. 3 receiver.
Two players who have yet to play this season, A-back Marcus Wright and guard J.C. Lanier, will be available to play for the first time. If Lanier were to play, it would be his first game on the offensive line. He played on the defensive line in his freshman and redshirt freshman seasons before converting to offensive line in the spring.
For North Carolina, kicker Casey Barth likely will sit out Saturday’s game with a sore thigh and hamstring. Barth is a four-year starter and a two-time second-team All-ACC pick.
Brilliant minds
Both North Carolina and Tech made news this week for their geniuses. Tech grad Shwetak Patel and UNC researcher Kevin Guskiewicz were two of 22 recipients of $500,000 no-strings-attached fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation, so-called “genius grants.” Patel, now a professor at Washington, has invented a series of low-cost and easy-to-use sensors for the home that track energy consumption. Guskiewicz has been at the forefront of research of sports-related concussions.
Etc.
Tech is cautioning fans attending the game Saturday to be wary of heavy traffic because of other events in the city. The Music Midtown festival will close roads around Piedmont Park, and the Atlanta Football Classic will start at 3:30 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. Also, the PGA’s Tour Championship will take place at East Lake Golf Club. ... The Tech men’s and women’s basketball team will sign autographs on the south deck of Peters Parking Deck for one hour starting at 10:30 a.m.
About the Author
